To the great people of Bozeman, Montana and Warriors at Quiet Waters
My name is Sgt. Scott Riddle (Ret) and I have found the meaning of life in Bozeman, Montana. When I first inquired about this Trip I was just assuming that some nice people were going to take me fishing and give me a chance to relax on the banks of a river. I had no idea what was really in store for me.
I guess the first thought that comes to my mind is thankfulness. I am thankful for a community of caring volunteers that take in complete strangers and make them feel as if they are part of their community. I am thankful that these same people don’t throw the word hero around, because the heroes couldn’t be here because they only came home in our mind and our dreams and this community knows this. I am thankful for the generosity of this great organization that provided us with the gear but also the training to use it and the worlds greatest volunters to make this whole thing happen. I noticed the little things that make great events even more greater, I saw a man drive to the house just to put up tables and chairs and light smores fires, I saw drivers come to the house everyday to pick us up and take us to events and then wait for us to come back so they could take us back to the house, I saw some very patient people teaching me how to cast, and I got to fish in an exclusive pond stocked with beautiful fish. I saw angels come to the house and make breakfast everyday. I saw two guys set with us until 10 o’clock at night tying flys, and some pretty lady giving much needed massages, and I saw two of the nicest people on earth living in a camper beside a house that could have easily sheltered them, but they allowed us to have space at the cost of their living in a camper. In truth I saw the world’s most beautiful orchestra carried out by the worlds finest musicians.
What this trip did for me is beyond words. It was pretty overwhelming for me to come back from theatre on a stretcher badly broken, both physically and mentally. I wondered what was left of the life that I had before I went, but I still remember my drive to answer the call and I was willing to sacrifice it all because that is what Americans do. What this trip did for me was to restore my faith that great Americans like the people of Bozeman, Montana are worth defending, even if it means not getting to come home. This awesome community and this great organization didn’t just teach me fly fishing, they gave me the gift of peace. Thank you so much I will never forget what you have done for me.
Sincerely,
Scott Riddle Sgt. (RET)
U.S Army